Artist's concept of the X-37B space plane in orbit. Credit: BoeingU.S. Military Space Plane Nearing End Of Design Life -- Space Flight Now
Observers tracking movements of the U.S. Air Force's X-37B secretive space plane report the spacecraft is dropping altitude, a possible sign the clandestine mission is near landing as it approaches the limit of the its design life.
Air Force officials remain silent on landing and recovery plans for the reusable space plane, other than it will return to Earth at Vandenberg Air Force Base, Calif. The X-37B features stubby wings, a powerful orbit-changing engine and a landing gear for touchdown on a 15,000-foot-long runway originally built for the space shuttle.
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More News On The U.S. Air Force's X-37B
Secretive X-37B space plane may be near mission's end -- MSNBC/Space.com
Secretive Air Force Robotic Space Plane Nears Mission's End -- CBS News
Chasing the Military's Secret X-37B Space Plane -- FOX9.com
Secret U.S. Space Plane May Be Too Mysterious -- The Danger Room
Grounded NASA Space Plane Poised for Comeback? (The X-34) -- The Danger Room
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